City: Northern Ireland
Top Things to do in Northern Ireland
What to do and see in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom: The Best Beaches
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the United Kingdom (green)
Restaurants in Northern Ireland
1. Causeway Coastal Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,114 reviews
The Causeway Coastal Route is a designated tourist drive around the coast of Northern Ireland between Belfast and Londonderry. The route follows the coast and takes you to several major tourist attractions including The Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, The Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery and the Glens of Antrim. There are a further nine shorter scenic routes that loop off the main Coastal Route. These are : Islandmagee, Slemish Mountain, Glenariff, Glendun, Torr Road, Glenshesk, Bann Valley, Binevenagh Mountain and the Roe Valley.
Reviewed By nyackgirl47 - New York City, United States
We rented a car at the airport in Belfast, and drove to Derry. Very inexpensive way to see everything if (a) you can drive a stick shift car, and (b) you can acclimate to driving on the opposite side of the road (we're American, so we had to acclimate!). We spent a couple of days in Derry, and then took the Causeway Coastal Route straight down until we picked up the highway just outside Ballygally (spent the night there enroute). We sought out several of the Game of Thrones sites enroute, so we kind of did our own tour (saw the dark hedges, the caves, and a couple of the doors - one at Mary McBride's pub and the other at the Ballygally Castle). You will see so much along this route - the seaside resort town of Portrush (where the British Open golf tournament is currently being played), the remains of the Dunluce castle, the Carrick rope bridge, adorable little towns. It's wonderful!
2. East Strand
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By Expedition600826
Perfect beach for young children: good clean sand and long stretches with clear views. The water is cold when you first go in but soon warm up running in and out! Perfect to build up an appetite. Fussy eaters were looking for extras.
3. Bushfoot Strand
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Escape705334
Amazing walk onto the most amazing beach. Fantastic in sun or rain. We walked on it before breakfast - set us up for the day.
4. Ballywalter Beach
5. Ballyhornan Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Ballyhornan is a sandy beach surrounded by cliffs. It is located on the Lecale Way and the Ballyhornan Coastal Path goes to the south. Guns Island lies just in the bay. On the horizon it is possible to see the Isle of Man. The beach is popular with canoe & kayakers as it is on the South East Coast Canoe Trail.
6. Cranfield Beach
7. White Park Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By R2423XJdavee
Beautiful place, stunning scenery. Visited 2019,will definitely be going back to this lovely part of Ireland.
8. Salmon Rock Beach
9. Ballycastle Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By anitahS1988DM - Craigavon, United Kingdom
Had great walk along beach it is a lovely walk clean to there was a few braved the weather and were having a great time jumping the waves
10. Castlerock Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By _carolineascot16 - Berkshire, United Kingdom
Perfect beach, great qulaity sand and sand dunes. free to park on road, can walk down to good cafes and toilets. Lifeguards on duty. Ideal for surfing and families. Perfect if sunny, recommend windbreakers if picnicing. Great scenery and cloud formations. Would definately recommend - our favouite beach of the week's holiday along that coast. Next door Downhill Strand is also great and had the added bonus of being able to park on the beach next to the ice cream van!
